Want to Share Some Ideas? Go to TED

James Bay Community Centre School

By Darcy Topinka

In my role as community school coordinator, one of the key responsibilities within the scope of my job is to offer support to the community at large in the areas of community education and community development. Community education can be defined as a process for empowering citizens in a community to address local needs. An educational philosophy  frames the role of community schools and advocates the creation of opportunities for community members. Generally the community education activities organized through the school and centre are intergenerational and we attempt to serve a multitude of family needs and create an environment of community support and development.  

For those of you responsible for defending or establishing need, you already know that making a case for a particular need can be a tricky undertaking. The recognition of public need often begins with a good idea. Do others share the same idea? Is the idea compelling and how does it resonate with a given population? Is my idea original? Does it make sense? These are some of the questions one might ask in developing an idea. Sometimes our ideas are met with skepticism and sometimes with support. No doubt the responses to our ideas are varied and our idea is met with all levels of acceptance and or argument. I am sure many of you have been told at some point "Wow, what a dumb idea" or "Whose great idea was that?" I personally enjoy the challenges a new idea brings to any discussion. I am often tested to keep an open mind, as I sort through the pros and cons of looking at a problem or situation. Sometimes as we process new concepts, we get ahead of ourselves and we instinctively list all the reasons not to pursue a new idea.

With new ideas comes change, and change brings a whole other hockey bag full of potential anxiety provoking thinking. If the notion of new thinking gets you excited and disappointed all at the same time. I suggest you start listening to TED talks. No, TED talks is not named after some guy named Ted who enjoys talking for a living and works for Google. TED talks will offer a creative way to re-engage your interest in new ideas. The Ted I refer to in this context is not an individual; TED is an acronym for a fantastic body of knowledge that is presented in a format for everyone to engage in. The talks range from 5 to 10 minutes in length and they are a great way to feel connected to many communities around the globe.  TED talks started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Here is a bit more about TED and why it exists: "We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other." The site was launched in April 2007 and has quickly attained critical acclaim as an inspirational platform for fresh thinking.  If you are unfamiliar with TED talks I suggest you give it a try.

So my suggestion or small idea is to encourage you, the reader, to listen to a program that focuses on some very interesting and thought- provoking ideas that make our world a better place, our communities healthier, and connect us all to our fellow man. To find TED talks simply download the application on your i-phone or do a Google search. Who knows, you might be inspired to share your ideas with your neighbor, your community leaders, your school, and your friends.